If you're supporting a gifted learner—or any child who struggles with focus, organization, or emotional regulation—Smart but Scattered is a resource I highly recommend. This book offers a clear, compassionate approach to building executive functioning skills like planning, task initiation, working memory, and self-control.

Gifted students are often the outliers—curious, intense, sometimes misunderstood. As educators and parents, we’re in a unique position to create spaces where these learners feel safe, seen, and supported—not just for their intellect, but for who they are as whole people.

As part of my recent work in gifted education, I explored Standard 2, which focuses on understanding the diverse ways gifted students develop—cognitively, socially, emotionally, and culturally. It also challenges us to build learning environments that reflect and respond to that complexity.

Here are 20 insights from that process—each one a small reminder of what it means to serve gifted students well.

Maya is a 10-year-old fifth grader with advanced verbal reasoning and problem-solving skills. She loves reading and thinking deeply about the world around her. But along with those strengths, she also experiences high levels of perfectionism, anxiety, and sensitivity. She’s the kind of student who might crumple her paper and start over again and again—not because she doesn’t understand the material, but because it’s not “perfect.”

I recently discovered a creative thinking framework that instantly clicked for me as an ELA teacher—and it might become one of my favorite tools for working with gifted students. It’s called SCAMPER, and while it’s often used in business and design thinking, it has incredible potential in the classroom, especially for writing.

As educators and parents, we often focus on the strengths of gifted learners—their quick thinking, creativity, and passion for knowledge. But behind these intellectual abilities lies something just as important: their emotional world.

Supporting the social and emotional development of gifted students is essential to helping them thrive, both in and out of the classroom.

Artistically gifted students offer the world unique insight, beauty, and perspective through their work—but their emotional lives can be just as complex and vibrant as their artistic expressions. While these students are often celebrated for their creativity and talent, they are sometimes misunderstood when it comes to their emotional and social development. Educators and parents can better support these students by understanding the traits that shape their inner worlds and the environments that help them thrive.

Traditional methods of gifted identification—which rely heavily on standardized IQ tests and academic achievement—can be limiting to many students.

Barriers such as anxiety, language, and cultural differences can impact test performance and lead to under-identification. A holistic approach should be considered by school districts and gifted programming coordinators to allow for diversity and equity in gifted identification. 

Explore the latest updates in education and gifted learning with The InterestEd Insight – March 2025 Newsletter! This month, we’re sharing insights on Gifted and Talented (GT) certification, must-have teaching resources, a sneak peek at upcoming workbooks, and an exciting new YouTube series for educators. Download the full newsletter now to stay ahead with expert tips, tools, and strategies for supporting diverse learners.

Many well-meaning people say, “All students are gifted,” but this misconception can harm students who need specialized gifted education services. Discover why true giftedness goes beyond high achievement and how we can better support gifted learners’ academic and social-emotional needs.

As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how we approach gifted education, both in the classroom and at home. For educators and parents, reimagining rigor means creating an environment that encourages students to think critically, creatively, and deeply. This approach isn’t just about increasing the workload—it’s about fostering engagement, curiosity, and the ability to solve problems in new and innovative ways. By rethinking how we design learning experiences, we can offer gifted learners opportunities to grow in ways that are both meaningful and fulfilling.

Fostering a growth mindset is one of the most important factors for the long-term success of gifted learners. A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and practice. Growth mindset empowers students to embrace challenges, persevere through setbacks, and cultivate the skill of resilience. As educators and parents, we have the unique opportunity to instill these values in gifted children, equipping them with the tools they need to thrive both academically and personally. Gifted learners are often accustomed to high achievement with minimal effort and may face difficulties when they encounter challenges. By promoting a growth mindset, we can help gifted students understand that setbacks are opportunities for growth rather than indicators of failure.